This Thursday, female runners, jumpers and throwers from Forest Park, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Drew, North Clayton and Mundy’s Mill will begin competing in the 2013 GHSA Girls State Track Meet in Albany.

From Forest Park, sophomore Bria Matthews will leap for the crown in the triple jump and long jump events. Matthews is coming off a first-place finish in the triple jump and second-place finish in the long jump at sectionals.

Matthews has been impressive in both events all season and should follow suit amongst the state’s best. Her teammates Ashley Epps (400-meter dash), Imani Richards (high jump) and Tenetra Mullins (long jump) will also be competing individually.

Collectively, Ashley Epps, Imani Epps, Krizma Goodson and Yasmeen Harris will run for gold in the 4-by-400 relay event.

Also in Class AAAAA are the Drew Lady Titans and Mundy’s Mill Lady Tigers but they will compete for the top spot in the 4-by-100 relay. The Lady Titans finished fifth (49.03 seconds) in sectionals and the Lady Tigers placed sixth (49.16).

Collins will also compete in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles and Krystal Dewberry will throw the shot put.

Down a classification, the Jonesboro Lady Cardinals will also compete individually and collectively. They have a chance to win seven events. Senior Skayia Hampton will compete in the 100 and 200 meter dashes and with the 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 relay teams.

“She has a great chance of going even further than what she did last year,” Jonesboro girls’ track and field coach Tangee Hardnett said.

Hampton finished first in the 200-meter dash and helped the 4-by-100 relay team finish second at the sectionals.

“We want to win it for Skayia because it is her last chance,” Hardnett said.

Alexis Haskins will compete in the 300-meter hurdles and Kelsey Arnold will toss the shot put and discus.

“For them to work hard and get to this point is a great accomplishment,” Hardnett said. “Once we get to this point, that is when my coaching really stops and I just tell them to try your best and have fun.”

Over at North Clayton, all of the Lady Eagles’ points will have to come from individual events. Senior Lorenda Holston will sprint for the crown in the 100-meter dash. (Last year, she came in second in the finals.) She will also compete in the high jump and teammate Wilder Shaprya in the triple jump.

In Class AAAAAA, senior Deliah Perkins will represent Lovejoy in the shot put.

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